Three of the complaints were sustained, one was not sustained and he was “exonerated” in one case.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — According to police records, the officer caught on a viral video punching 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. during a traffic stop had previously faced five complaints.
The stop happened on Feb. 19, but McNeil posted the video Sunday. It quickly gained traction online.
In the footage, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers explain that they pulled McNeil over due to his vehicle’s headlights being off. McNeil questioned the validity of the stop, noting there was enough daylight and no rain.
An officer, who cannot be seen in the video, is heard saying, “It doesn’t matter, you’re still required to have headlights on.”
The situation escalates when an officer requests McNeil exit the car. After McNeil asks for a supervisor, another officer uses a tool to shatter the driver’s window. Officer Donald Bowers is then seen hitting McNeil in the head, after which he unlocks the door, unfastens McNeil’s seatbelt, and forcefully removes him from the vehicle.
Records released publicly by the sheriff’s office show Bowers’ complaint history.
Three of the complaints were deemed sustained, with action taken. One was not sustained and he was “exonerated” in one case. According to definitions provided by JSO, a non-sustained complaint means there was not enough evidence to determine what occurred. An exoneration means “the administrative investigation determine the allegation occurred, but was lawful and proper.”
The first complaint is from Aug. 3, 2011, and labeled as “in-house.” Bowers was reported for “unbecoming conduct” and a “secondary employment violation.” Both were sustained. JSO issued a written reprimand.
A citizen complained about Bowers on May 11, 2016, records show. A “driving complaint” was found to be sustained and he was issued “informal” counseling.
On March 14, 2023, JSO received a complaint from a citizen about Bowers. He was accused of “failure to conform to work standards” and the complaint was sustained. He received formal counseling as a result, according to his administrative history.
The complaint that was not sustained was submitted on Feb. 8, 2012. An inmate reported Bowers for “unbecoming conduct.” In this case, the allegations were not sustained.
The complaint where Bowers was exonerated was submitted on Oct. 4, 2018. The complainant was a citizen who alleged Bowers took part in “unbecoming conduct” and failed to take “appropriate action.” JSO found that Bowers committed the acts described in the complaint, but that they were lawful and did not constitute these allegations, according to their definitions.
During a press conference Monday, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said Bowers has been stripped of his law enforcement authority, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the administrative review on the viral traffic stop video.
“Once we’ve determined whether Officer Bowers acted within policy or not, I will immediately share that determination with the public,” Waters said.
